On September 21, 2016, six named plaintiffs filed this class action lawsuit against Onondaga County in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.

Represented by the New York Civil Liberties Union Foundation and Legal Services of Central New York, the plaintiffs ...
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On September 21, 2016, six named plaintiffs filed this class action lawsuit against Onondaga County in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.

Represented by the New York Civil Liberties Union Foundation and Legal Services of Central New York, the plaintiffs challenged the isolation of juveniles in solitary confinement at the County Justice Center. This practice, they alleged, violated the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution. In addition to exposing them to serious harm, plaintiffs subclass members claimed the Onondaga Sherriff’s Office and Syracuse City School District denied them of basic education and services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The plaintiffs sought declaratory, injunctive, and monetary relief, as well as class action certification.

On January 2, 2017, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice filed a statement of interest regarding the plaintiff’s motion for preliminary injunction. Citing both scientific findings and case law, the DOJ emphasized the greater psychological vulnerability of juveniles compared to adults. Specifically, the DOJ pointed to evidence that isolating juveniles causes serious harm.

This case was assigned to U.S. District Judge David N. Hurd. On February 22, 2017, Judge Hurd held the plaintiffs had complied with Rule 23’s requirements for class certification and demonstrated a substantial likelihood of success on the merits of their claims. The Court, therefore, granted the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification and denied the defendants’ motion for summary judgment. Judge Hurd also ordered that defendants be immediately enjoined and restrained from imposing 23-hour disciplinary isolation. The Court further granted plaintiff’s motion for preliminary injunction and ordered that defendants’ must immediately provide juveniles the proper education mandated under New York law, and specifically comply with the special education requirements under the IDEA. Finally, the Court ordered that all imposed discipline include meaningful social interaction with other, and must not directly harm a juvenile’s psychological condition.

The case is ongoing. A status telephone conference is set for June 2, 2017.